Abstract:
One of the main focuses of the present thesis is to carry out various C-heteroatom bond forming reactions under transition-metal-free condition.
Chapter 1: Introduction
To pursue the above thought process, a detailed literature studies as well as vigorous surveys of
previous reports on C–heteroatom bond forming reactions was carried out in chapter 1, introduction
part. Due to the presence of C–heteroatom bond containing molecules in several natural products and
pharmaceutical molecules, the construction of C–heteroatom bonds have drawn a notable attention from
synthetic chemists. This chapter features; a) important metal-free chemistry, b) various C–heteroatom
bond forming techniques, c) several imperative characteristics of HFIP, d) use of a strong H-bond-donor
solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro isopropanol (HFIP) to conduct the above-mentioned transformation in a
metal-free way, e) HFIP assisted various functional group activation and their concomitant reactions, f)
detailed reactivity and basic chemistry of nitrosoarene in C–N/C–O bond formation.
Chapter 2: Regiodivergent Aromatic Electrophilic Substitution Using Nitrosoarenes in
Hexafluoroisopropanol: A Gateway for Diarylamines and p-Iminoquinone Synthesis
In this chapter, we have exploited the dual electrophilic nature of nitrosoarene and conducted
electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction towards the synthesis of diarylamines and p-iminoquinones
via C–N and C–O bond formation respectively. For the amination purpose, HFIP was used as a sole
promoter, which activates the O-atom of nitroso functionality selectively to facile the C–N bond forming
reaction. Alongside, TfOH was used as the acid additive to obtain the p-iminoquinone products via C–
O bond formation in HFIP. Interestingly, when less electron-rich arene nucleophilic partners are
employed, the p-iminoquinone formation was encountered in the absence of any acid additive. This can
be attributed by the mild Brønsted acidic character of HFIP. Protonation at the more basic nitrogen
centre by acid triggers iminoquinone formation.
Chapter 3: Nitrosoarene-Catalyzed Regioselective Aromatic C–H Sulfinylation with Thiols
under Aerobic Conditions
In this chapter, we have represented regioselective aromatic C–H sulfinylation of aromatics using
thiol under aerobic condition. We have demonstrated the catalytic utility of nitrosoarene for the first
time in organic synthesis. Here nitrosoarene acts as a redox catalyst to conduct the transformation
following a radical reaction mechanism in HFIP. For the terminal oxidation of hydroxylamine species
to revive active nitrosoarene, aerobic oxygen plays a crucial role.
Chapter 4: Nitrosoarene-Catalyzed HFIP-Assisted Transformation of Arylmethyl Halides to
Aromatic Carbonyls under Aerobic Conditions
In this chapter, an extension work of nitrosoarene catalysis was portrayed. Here, we have used the
C–halogen bond activation property of HFIP to synthesize aromatic carbonyls from arylmethyl halides
under aerobic conditions. HFIP polarizes the C–halogen bond by forming a strong H-bonding network
with benzyl halides and generates a benzyl carbocation intermediate. The nucleophilic nitrosoarene
catalyst attacks the benzyl carbocation intermediate and after the α-deprotonation of nitrosonium ion
and hydrolysis of nitrone species, the aromatic carbonyls were yielded. Here also aerobic oxygen was
found to be a critical oxidant for the terminal oxidation of hydroxylamine to nitrosoarene.
Chapter 5: Transition-Metal-Free Regioselective Intermolecular Hydroamination of
Conjugated 1,3-Dienes with Heterocyclic Amines
In this last chapter, a transition-metal-free Brønsted acid catalyzed HFIP assisted regioselective
intermolecular Markovnikov selective 4,3-hydroamination of conjugated 1,3-dienes was carried out
using rarely explored amine sources (heterocyclic amines). The molecular aggregation between HFIP
and Brønsted acid (HNTf2) enhances the acidity and readily protonates heterocyclic amines (pyrazole, triazole, indazole). Thereafter, the transfer of proton to the dienes and nucleophilic attack by the
heterocyclic amines afforded the regioselective allylic amines.